Portugal: The Blandy Group has regained control of the Madeira Wine Company (MWC) from Symington Family Estates. Symington will still retain a minority share in the business, but intends to concentrate on its Cockburn port brand, which it purchased last year.

MWC produces Blandy’s, Cossart Gordon, Leacock and Miles madeiras.

Paul Symington, chairman of Symington Family Estates said: "We originally acquired our shareholding in 1989 and there has been a fruitful and friendly partnership for over 20 years during which new methods of wine making were introduced, as well as several marketing

initiatives that have helped transform the MWC. It is fitting that the Blandy’s bicentennial should be marked by their re‐acquisition of a majority holding in their family’s historic island business. My family wishes to concentrate its efforts on re‐building the Cockburn’s port brand and in managing

our vineyards in the Douro as well as other important projects that we have in hand."

Michael Blandy, Chairman of Blandy’s said: ‘This investment demonstrates the Blandy Group's continued strategic commitment to the economy and society of the Island of Madeira which will be complemented by continued expansion of our hotel investments both across Portugal and internationally."